chokeberry

chokeberry [chohk-ber-ee, -buh-ree] ExamplesWord Origin noun, plural choke·ber·ries.

1. the berrylike fruit of any North American shrub of the genus Aronia, of the rose family, especially A. arbutifolia (red chokeberry), A. melanocarpa (black chokeberry), or A. prunifolia (purple chokeberry).
2. the plant that bears this fruit.

Origin of chokeberry An Americanism dating back to 1770–80; choke + berry Examples from the Web for chokeberry Historical Examples of chokeberry

Chokeberry, buckthorn, elder berry, and mulberry will attract birds away from blackberry and raspberry patches.

The Library of Work and Play: Outdoor Work

Mary Rogers Miller

There were thickets of aronia or chokeberry, whose flat white blossoms and reddish bark showed its kinship to the apple tree.

Everyday Adventures

Samuel Scoville

She afterwards discovered that the pink juice of chokeberry did very well for lips, cheeks, and gay dresses.

Brave Men and Women

O.E. Fuller

British Dictionary definitions for chokeberry chokeberry noun plural -ries

1. any of various North American rosaceous shrubs of the genus Aronia
2. the red or purple bitter fruit of any of these shrubs